LOS ANGELES - Nissan put performance centre stage at the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show with today's North American debut of the most powerful Nissan GT-R supercar ever, the GT-R NISMO. As the third model in the GT-R lineup, along with the GT-R Premium and the Black Edition the GT-R NISMO features extensive engine, suspension, exterior and interior enhancements. The Nissan GT-R NISMO will be available in Japan in late February 2014, in the U.S., and Europe later in 2014 and in Canada shortly thereafter.

The GT-R NISMO was one of three performance Nissans revealed today at the Los Angeles Auto Show, which runs from November 22 through December 1, 2013 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. It was joined at a press conference by the world debut of a custom-built Sentra NISMO Concept and the debut of the production version of the new 2014 Nissan JUKE NISMO RS.

The press conference also featured a surprise appearance by Usain Bolt, six-time Olympic Gold Medal winner and 100-meter world record holder. Bolt, who owns a special gold-painted Nissan GT-R, assisted Nissan Divisional Vice President, Sales & Marketing Fred Diaz in revealing the new GT-R NISMO. Bolt serves as Nissan's "Director of Excitement."

The Sentra NISMO Concept follows a long line of Nissan small performance sedans such as the Datsun 510 and the original Sentra SE-R. Created strictly as a design study, the Sentra NISMO Concept features a 200-plus horsepower turbocharged 1.8-litre 4-cylinder engine, NISMO-tuned suspension and steering, custom driver-focused interior, enhanced aerodynamics and large wheels and tires.

Keeping with the NISMO theme, the new Nissan JUKE NISMO RS follows the recent introduction of the JUKE NISMO, with even higher levels of performance and sporty design. Enhancements include additional horsepower and torque (up to 215 horsepower and 210 lb-ft of torque), a new manual transmission, larger brakes, chassis stiffening and unique RS interior treatments featuring Recaro front seats. It is scheduled to join the popular JUKE lineup in early 2014.

"Nissan has always been the brand that did things differently. Our designs have stretched the envelope over the years," said Diaz. "All Nissan products, just like the new GT-R NISMO, stand out among the competition because they are about the driver first and foremost and about using innovation to transform the driving experience."

NISMO, its vision and name derived from NISsan MOtorsports, has embarked on an aggressive journey to expand its presence beyond the racetrack in key markets around the world. Already a legendary brand among professional and grassroots racers, as well as performance enthusiasts everywhere, NISMO now is applying its near-50 years of engineering experience and expertise to an expanding range of affordable production vehicles. Along with the all-new GT-R NISMO, JUKE NISMO and new JUKE NISMO RS, a 2014 370Z NISMO Coupe will be available in Canadian showrooms later in 2014.

About Nissan Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan's second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 236,000 employees globally, Nissan sold more than 4.9 million vehicles and generated revenue of 9.6 trillion yen (USD 116.16 billion) in fiscal 2012. Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of over 60 models under the Nissan and Infiniti brands. In 2010, Nissan introduced the Nissan LEAF, and continues to lead in zero-emission mobility. The LEAF, the first mass-market, pure-electric vehicle launched globally, is now the best-selling EV in history.

About Usain Bolt: www.usainbolt.com Arguably the most naturally gifted athlete the world has ever seen, Usain St. Leo Bolt, has confirmed his tremendous talents when he realized his dreams by winning a phenomenal three gold medals and breaking three world records at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. Bolt became the first man in Olympic history to win both the 100 and 200 metres in world record times and then as part of the 4 X 100 metres team, which also ran a record. In 2012 in London he created history again by successfully defending all three Olympic titles with 100m, 200m and 4X100m victories. The relay was a world record of 36.84 seconds where Bolt was on the anchor leg.